Many lots in Weber County presently cannot be developed because adverse site characteristics (such as soil that percolates outside of acceptable rate ranges or shallow ground water) make them unsuitable for conventional wastewater disposal systems (septic tank soil-absorption systems). The Weber-Morgan District Health Department and the Utah Division of Water Quality have developed designs for alternative wastewater disposal systems that may be used in such areas if hydrogeologic and soil conditions are suitable, ground- and surface-water quality will not be degraded, and humans will not be exposed to wastewater pathogens.

The purpose of this circular, prepared at the request of the Weber-Morgan District Health Department, is to provide guidelines for: (1) geologists preparing hydrogeologic reports pertinent to the suitability of sites for alternative wastewater disposal systems, (2) soil scientists preparing soil evaluation reports pertinent to the suitability of sites for alternative wastewater disposal systems, and (3) geologists, soil scientists, and Weber-Morgan District Health Department officials reviewing these reports. These guidelines are applicable to other areas of Utah where alternative wastewater disposal systems are used or are being considered to be used.